Cougar Microbes

I hastily cancelled  any plans I had for Tuesday 16th as soon as i found out WHY? Were rollong into town yet again. Regular readers of this blog will know the band have been featured on these pages more than a fair few times.

The band had been outstanding the first time I saw them back in November 2008 when frontman Yoni Wolf boldly announced that Barack Obama would win the American elections, some 5 hours before the whole voting shindig had even kicked off. As far as first concert experiences go this was a special show.

Their next London performance at the Garage was a step up in venue size,though perhaps not in sound quality. In spite of this the band reaffirmed how how well their repertoire translates to the live setting. Songs from the yet to be released ‘Eskimo Snow’ begun trickling into the setlist and the band, with the help of their trusty soundman Snake, made good work or a slightly shoddy sound system on the night.

This show at Heaven is further proof that the californian gang’s popularity is steadily growing. This is made comically clear when I spot a tout outside of the venue trying to sell an overpriced ticket to the bemused members of the band as they walk by. But is this appreciation deserved?

As the band shuffle on to the stage I am reminded of just what makes WHY? so special. Opening with one of my personal favourites, ”The Hollows“, the band deliver a burst of energy right from the onset, fully exploiting the addition of Mark Erickson on bass and, in particular, Andrew Broder on guitar to beef up their live lineup.

The added ‘oomph‘ of being a five-piece for this tour means that song structures and instrumentals segments are beautifully embellished.  Yet again it has to be said that soundman Snake does a super job in recreating many of the production tricks from the bands last few albums.

Yoni Wolf appears liberated by the reduction of percussive duties, namely the lack of his habbitual snare drum and xylophone set up. Instead he is free to strut and gesticulate around the stage and in his own oddball way pays homage to his hip-hop roots. The frontman is flanked by the “classic” WHY? lineup consisting of his amazingly skilled brother Josiah on drums and the equally talented Doug McDiarmid on keys and guitars.

Naturally tracks from Eskimo Snow feature heavily and are expanded into new territories and delivered with renewed energy . However, there is plenty of room for the the many highlights from ‘Alopecia‘ with “The Vowels Pt. 2“, the aforementioned ”The Hollows” and “These Few Presidents“ recieving memorable renditions and sparking mass crowd sing alongs. There is something both eerie and beautiful about a room full of people shouting “even though i haven’t seen you in years, yours is a funeral i’d fly to from anywhere” in unison.

After returning for a brilliant encore and some hilarious karate kicks courtesy of Yoni there is one last treat in stock for this audience. Taking advantage of the presence of Andrew Broder on stage the band deliver an incredible rendition of Hymie’s Basement‘s “21st Century Pop Song” that exceeds even the recorded version of the track, right down to the broken up dual vocals at the end.

WHY? are a band that has constantly evolved over the space of each release whilst simultaneously succeeding in the hard task of remaining fresh and exciting. On the live stage these qualities are delivered with true personality allowing for each melody to be accentuated and magnified for maximum effect. Without fail the band has always delivered memorable performances and as long as their live show doesn’t suffer I see no harm in the venue sizes growing more.

TRACKS:

Hymie’s Basement -21st Century Pop Song

WHY? – On Rose Walk, Insomniac

For a little while I thought there was no chance this album would ever make this list such was the level dissapointment I felt after a first few listens.

For most of 2008 and the start of this year I waxed lyrical about WHY?‘s masterpiece ‘Alopecia. With the knowledge that the tracks on ‘Eskimo Snow‘ were recorded in the same session I had expected more of the same. Instead the Oakland combo dropped what is essentially a pop album grounded firmly in sweet melodies and layered with impressive multi instrumental structures that aim for somewhere between the Beach Boys and The Velvet Underground.

Alopecia v.2.0 it certainly is not but once i got over my initial hang up I began appreciating these 10 tracks as the natural evolution to some of the more experimental elements I had seen the band perform live. Yoni Wolf‘s vocals appear to be more reflective and slightly subdued here but scratch beneath the surface and you will notice the same cynical lyrics and curious word games at play.

TRACKS:

WHY? – Even The Good Wood Gone

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Walking into the newly re-branded, re-decorated, re-everything-ed ‘Relentless’ Garage in Highbury hideous treble reverberates around the arch, despite the best efforts of support act Munch Munch. My worst apprehension appears to be confirmed; sound has been compromised during redevelopment of the old sweat pit and aesthetics have taken priority. What’s more it has not been re-toilet-ed.

On last year’s US election night I had the privilege of witnessing WHY? reproduce their work complete with every percussive intricacy live at The Scala, in London. When I heard they were returning to play the Garage I jumped at the opportunity to see them once again but as they take to the stage my expectations have been lowered somewhat, more by the shoddy sound than the hazardous lavatories

However, while soundman Snake may not be fooling anybody with that upper-lip bum-fluff, he makes up for youth with ability beyond his years. Each maracas shake, bass note, and syllable rings clear like heaven to an enchanted audience as WHY? storm through opener, ‘The Vowels Pt. 2‘. Good job, Snake.

The Oakland Bay 3 + 1 piece hold up their side of the bargain throughout the evening’s proceedings, mixing their wicked rhythms and magical melodies with front man Yoni Wolf’s dry witted lyrical craftsmanship. ‘Song of the Sad Assassin’ has most people chanting its signature line “Billy the kid did what he did then he died” while ‘Rubber Traits’ has us ‘wee-oo’ing away. Throw in a couple of beers and you have the potion for a top night out.

Seeing WHY? perform is to respect their musicianship more deeply. There is much to be said for witnessing four artists multitask quite so proficiently without resorting to samples. If there is to be one criticism it must be of Yoni’s occasional indifference to vocal tuning; that or tonight’s puzzling omission of ‘Fatalist Palmistry’.

As the band return to the stage for their encore they treat us to a rendition of the beautifully melodic ‘This Blackest Purse’ from upcoming album ‘Eskimo Snow’. The less patient amongst us hope for further sneak previews but instead make do with a couple of well performed favourites before departing into the early July night with smiles plastered over our faces.

It was only last year when a certain Cougar Microbes scribe put me onto the much hyped alt-hip-hop-indie-rock band. Since then I have fallen in love with 2005’s ‘Elephant Eyelash’ and 2008’s ‘Alopecia’ and await ‘Eskimo Snow’ with baited beer breath.

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Guest post by Kenny The Emperor.

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TRACK:

Why? – The Blackest Purse